African Big Cats Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United States
Australia
Canada
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $380 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
DE
Email Vera | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My childhood dream come true - for me and my family
We can and want to fully recommend the Tanzanian travel organization African Big Cats Safaris: We lacked nothing whatsoever, on the contrary, we had everything! Thank you to our great guide Khaled and African Big Cats Safari, Emanuel and Justine, for making this travel to our family of five a great once-in-a-lifetime experience!
German children in the 1960s and 1970s grew up with reports and unbelievable films shown on TV about the Serengeti by the Frankfurt zoo director Bernhard Grzimek. We then 'followed' the lives of wild animals such as cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, marabous, lions and many other here unnamed animals with great fascination and excitement. At that time the wish was implanted in our generation to be able to see the fascinating African wildlife with our own eyes. "African Big Cat Safaris" as a local Tanzanian operator with a perfect organization should now fulfill this wish in 2023. At very short notice after only TWO months of planning, as we only decided at the end of May 2023, we already came into Tanzania at the end of July. Our choice fell on African Big Cats Safari, who made an offer that was cheaper than another company's - which makes a difference traveling with a party of five. The 6-day safari led from Arusha in a jeep via the national parks Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park and back to Arusha. The exact sequencing of the parks suited us perfectly: first, at Lake Manyara, we got to see fewer animals from a greater distance (except for the elephants, who ate their meal just off the road in the green thickets, so we could see in the elephants eye on eye level...). In the Serengeti in the dry season, the experience was heightened: after a long drive, you first found yourself in the arid landscape of the dry season, where you could see few giraffes and gazelles (this type of travel requires long driving and sitting). We were rewarded after hours on a very bumpy and dusty road and saw what we had imagined: An incredible number of wild animals! Incredible! Very impressive! So beautiful! It's so striking to see that they can actually live their wild life in the protected wildlife park! Sometimes the animals are surrounded by many jeeps as the guides inform each other where the animals are near the road so that they can be observed closely by us tourists. We were struck by how unimpressed the lions were by the crowd of jeeps and excited tourists. They have become accustomed to people and their vehicles, whose proximity - obviously due to their experience in the national park - poses no danger to them - they sometimes even lie down in the shadow of a jeep. We are very happy that with Khaled we had a likewise nice and very helpful guide who was equally well versed in wildlife and ornithology, who always brought us to our respective destinations safely, concentrated and with good driving skills. It just felt right to be with him for six days in a row. Khaled as a guide with a degree is as well versed in wildlife as in ornithology. He was a good skilled and concentrated driver as well having brought us to our respective destinations safely. He was always in good spirits, attentive, localized many animals for us to see and was able to tell us a lot about the behavior and peculiarities of the animals, as well as about Tanzania and its people.It's good to be with a local guide also to find out about a Tanzanian perspective(s).
Due to the short-term nature of our trip, the lodges originally offered had to be changed. Since we don't know what would had expected us, we can only say that we are very satisfied with the choice of lodges now made for us. The beds were very clean, there were warm showers and toilets in every lodge - to us that was great luxury considering a trip into the wilderness. And there was always something to eat for our vegetarian and even VEGAN members of our travel group. In the evaluation of the lodges, we found that each had its own special features: one lodge was beautifully furnished, whereas food in other lodge was more delicious. Sometimes the location was beautiful, sometimes the lodge was far away, but the view of the landscape was spectacular, sometimes you could hear the sounds of a passing herd of wildebeests at night, at another site three buffaloes were grazing barely 10 meters away in front of the lodge and a beautiful sunrise seen from bed through the screen, sometimes the hyena howled, sometimes the food was especially excellent. One lodge offered a show in the evening, which wasn't really needed, but which wasn't bad and too time-consuming. Important to know: Tipps have to be counted in and added to the basic costs of the safari, as locals offer their services at all times that one has not foreseen and have not been covered by the fee for the safari. Taking a bundle of Tanzanian shilling on the way is helpful. For us it was hard to find out and know which amount was really appropriate for the respective service.
The most exciting and thrilling highlight was the migration of the animals - and the dry season was just right time for seeing the crossing of the wildebeest of the Mara River into the North Serengeti. It is a very touching experience to witness. First you see the seemingly endless treks of the animals, which move one after the other through dry landscapes, towards the river - and then one first animal jumps into the floods and then there is no stopping. As reported in countless animal documentaries, this is an incredible event of nature. Our guide emphasized that with nature you never know whether you are really in the right place on time, to be able to witness this, as nature has its own laws. It was our good luck that we were in the right place at the right time on the second try.
The lodges of the previous night always provided lunch provisions, which were unpacked at noon in designated picnic areas (once on the hood of the jeep at the border with Kenya due to the lack of a picnic area). The picnic-setting was always: Animals walked 'through the picture'. Sometimes elephants, sometimes a marabou, sometimes a zebra. Great!
On day five we visited the fascinating Ngorngoro Crater, which impresses as a natural spectacle in respect to geology and wildlife. As fascinating as the Crater was (there from very, very, very, very, very far away we spotted the one and only rhino on our trip) having already seen so many animals in the Serengeti, the gazelles, elephants, hippos, zebras, lions, buffalos etc. and considering the fact that an incredible amount - probably to many - jeeps go through the crater every day, if there were a next time I would make room for other curious visitors, foremost locals, who have often not had the luxury of seeing the wildlife in their own country due to costs.Ngorongoro is good a perfect one-day- excursion from Arusha with limited time budget - if you do not have time to visit other national parks. For those who do have time: There is a great possibility from an excellent view-point to get an impressive view of the Crater from its rim without actually driving into it!
For us a must-see and a wonderful last day was the Tarangire National Park, which we finally visited. We thought it to be the perfect conclusion of our trip. We saw so many elephants - several wonderful large herds led by the female elephant to watch at close range near the river. And in a humid, fertile marshland area at the far end of the park, the animals gather as if it were a big, live picture book!
We had the chance to make an incredibly beautiful and moving journey! It's a lot of driving that paid off for us: The safari was a dream come true!
PS.: Don't miss to see the film "Serengeti shall never die" by Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael, who sadly died in a plane crash while working on the film. Later on the film received an Oscar...
DE
Email Jan L | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari Trip
We had a wonderful safari in august. Nothing was left out and we had no safari car problems. Even though the roads were horrible, our professional driver had no problems maneuvering us to the national parks. We saw a lot of stuck and broke down cars from other companies which we could pass easily. Furthermore the competent driver (Moses) turned out to a wild life expert. No questions were left unanswered. He could even spot the faintest clumps of animals. Aside from the big five even rarer species that would hide in the high grad or usually is only night active. It was a pleasure spending 5 days with him on tour. Everytime again
ES
Email Zori | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experienced guide speaking Spanish
We have lived an unforgettable experience thanks to African Big Cats Safari. We have traveled 3 generations, my 7-year-old son, my mother, over 70, and I, and the trip has been spectacular for the 3 of us. We have visited the parks of Tarangire, Serengeti, Norongoro and Lago Mañara in 6 days and now we are spending a few days in Zanzibar. Our guide Natal spoke perfect Spanish, which I appreciated because of the three of us who traveled, only I speak English and otherwise I would have to translate everything. We are also very happy with our guide because of the knowledge he has about the area and the animals and the patience he has had for all my son's questions
DE
Email Christopher | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Trip
We were with African Big Cats as organizers at the end of July / beginning of August 2023, first on Kili (Lemosho- route), then on safari for 7 days.
Everything went wonderfully!
We researched in advance on the internet and had contact with various organizers. There are definitely other good ones (we could only "test" one
IT
Email Federica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Safari Experience ever
Our experience was extremely positive.
We found Big Cats online and we trust them from the beginning thanks to their extreme availability and kindness.
The guys are always nice and replies are very quick and they can support you with any custom request you might need.
Our guide, Ernest, was a plus. He has 23 years experience and he perfectly knows animals (especially Big Five) and their habits.
We will surely suggest Big Cats to our friends!
SG
Email Sophie | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A good guide definitely made your safari wonderful
Lovoi is the best guide with binocular vision. We are so lucky to have him. We saw all the big five and three crossings. Really enjoy the safari.
However, some of the accommodations could be improved.
CH
Email Jan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
awesome experience
We spent 9 days in northern Tanzania with big cat safaris. The organisation was perfect. But the most important to make the trip extraordinary was our guide. Moses is a guide for more than 20 years and he still loves his job. He is fascinated by all animals and was able to explain us a lot of details about wildlife and Tanzanian lifestyle. He was polite and very understandingly with our kids (7/9y). His knowledge about birds (and mammals and plants etc.) was really impressive.
US
Email Latisha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simple Amazing
African Big Cats Safaris really took good care of my traveling needs. The lodges and resorts were comfortable, spacious and clean. The tent inside the Serengeti was amazing and not what I expected. The vacation was more than I could dream of and well worth the money. I will be booking again with the company!
Email James | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service, friendly and couldn't do more for you
We were a party of nine and Big Cats Safari and their two very knowlegeable drivers gave us four amazing days in two vehicles.
The accommodation was all excellent (including an amazing night camping in the Serengeti!). When a couple of people in our party forgot their luggage the team went out of their way to help get it back.
We saw all of the animals we wanted to see and experienced a magical time. I would recommend them to anyone.
SK
Email Denisa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
We spent 4 beautiful days on a luxury safari trip. Our guide/driver Nathan made everything to our satisfaction. He was very kind, knowledgeable and gave us lots of information. Kids were amazed to see all the animals! Our accomodation in Karatu and Serengeti was excellent. We are glad that we have chosen African Big Cats Safari. All communication from the beginning went smoothly. I highly recommend this company.
